Taylor, Clarke, Malatesta form offensive core with Griffin

The Tufts men's lacrosse team can be compared to a Happy Meal: it is fast, full of energy, well respected, takes various forms, and usually packs a surprise for its opponents.

After establishing itself as one of the most dangerous teams in NESCAC, Tufts is looking to improve upon last year's success. Sophomore Bryan Griffin was the Hot Wheels toy in last year's Happy Meal as he was named the NESCAC and New England Player of the Year.

No Happy Meal, however, consists only of a toy car. Senior David Taylor sizzled like a batch of fresh Freedom fries last season, scoring 28 goals with 50 points and 22 assists rounding out the deadly one-two attack up front. Taylor earned a NESCAC All-Conference Second Team selection last season and rounded out the up-front attack with Griffin.

Yet Freedom fries are nothing without a good setup of ketchup and special sauce. Junior Devin Clarke and sophomore Mike O'Brien, both midfielders, were invaluable last year, and will continue to dish out delicious setups to the attackers. Clarke, last year's third leading scorer, had 36 points in 2003 on 22 goals and 14 assists.

Though the deadly attack combination of Griffin and Taylor are the fireworks display up front, Taylor knows it is the whole offensive that leads to the team's success.

"I feel like our offensive personnel compliment each other very well," Taylor said. "Each player brings a different type of threat to the field and really puts the pressure on the defense to figure out who to concentrate on."

Senior tri-captain Matt Malatesta holds the midfield together, excelling at face-offs and scoring 14 goals last season. He also leads the team with his intense competitive attitude.

"Malatesta sets the tone for us from a competitors' standpoint," coach Mike Daly said. "He is definitely the tough guy of our team."

Tufts' main losses on the offensive end were last year's fourth and fifth-leading scorers, Chris Kollar and Alex Kerwin, both of whom graduated in 2003. Kollar, an attackman, had 28 points on 14 goals and 14 assists. Kerwin was one of last year's tri-captains and played midfield. He totaled 22 points on 15 points and seven assists.

The Jumbos should have no problem filling the holes left by last year's departed seniors. They have three freshman attackmen and five first-year midfielders that will have plenty of opportunities to contribute to Tufts' offensive force. While Malatesta and company will certainly miss their departed teammates, they are confident in the players that remain and in the new talent coming in.

"Every team is different and no matter who you lose, there is an element of personality and a dynamic you lose with it," Daly said. "Our goal is to replenish those personalities. We have a great group of seniors... I feel like our freshman class could be the most talented we've ever had."